Materials Science Terms

noun the process by which a gas, liquid, or solute accumulates on the surface of a solid or liquid material

• The process of adsorption involves the adhesion of molecules onto the surface of a solid or liquid.
• Adsorption is like when stuff sticks to other stuff, like magnets but with molecules.
• Adsorption is like when molecules get clingy with a surface.
• The concept of adsorption can be compared to how a sponge absorbs water, but on a molecular level.

adjective relating to atomic weapons or energy

• The scientist conducted experiments on atomic particles in the laboratory.
• I heard they're studying atomic stuff in the science department.
• Dude, that new movie is like an atomic explosion of awesomeness!
• Her anger was like an atomic bomb, exploding and causing chaos in the room.

noun the measure of a material's ability to conduct an electric current

• The conductance of the material was measured using a high-precision instrument.
• They tested the conductance of the wire to see if it was working properly.
• I have no idea what the conductance of this thing is, but it seems to be doing its job.
• Her conductance in the meeting was impressive, she handled difficult situations with ease.

noun a unit of force in the centimeter-gram-second system, equal to the force that would give a free mass of one gram an acceleration of one centimeter per second per second

• The dyne is a unit of force in the centimeter-gram-second system of units.
• I had to look up what a dyne is because I've never heard of it before.
• I don't give a dyne about that topic, it's not important to me.
• The dyne of motivation pushed her to achieve her goals against all odds.

noun a substance that is flocculent

adjective having a fluffy or woolly appearance

• The flocculent sediment in the water was caused by the chemical reaction.
• I can't swim in that lake, the water looks all flocculent and gross.
• Ew, that soup looks so flocculent, I'm not eating that.
• Her thoughts were like a flocculent cloud, scattered and hard to grasp.

verb to convert into gas, especially by the application of heat

• The company plans to gasify coal to produce synthetic natural gas.
• They're going to turn coal into gas.
• They're gonna gasify that coal.
• She had the ability to gasify any problem, turning it into a manageable solution.

adjective having holes or full of holes

• The holey fabric allowed air to pass through easily.
• I need to throw out these holey socks and get new ones.
• That shirt is so holey, it's practically see-through.
• Her excuses were holey and no one believed her story.

noun a thin skin or film on the surface of certain plant tissues

• The pellicle formed on the surface of the liquid as it cooled.
• I noticed a weird pellicle on top of the soup.
• Ew, there's a gross pellicle floating in my drink.
• The pellicle of lies that covered his true intentions was finally revealed.

adjective relating to or resembling a net or network; having a reticulated pattern

• The reticular formation is a network of nerve pathways in the brainstem involved in regulating consciousness and sleep.
• The reticular pattern on this fabric is really intricate and detailed.
• I can't believe she reticulated her hair, it looks so cool!
• The reticular structure of society is complex and interconnected, much like a web.

noun the branch of mechanics concerned with bodies at rest and forces in equilibrium

• Statics is a branch of mechanics that deals with objects at rest or in constant motion.
• I find statics to be quite challenging, but I'm determined to understand it.
• Statics is like trying to solve a puzzle with all the pieces frozen in place.
• In the statics of life, sometimes it's important to pause and reflect before making a decision.

noun the combination of ideas to form a theory or system

verb none

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The process of chemical synthesis involves combining different compounds to create new molecules.
• I'm working on a synthesis project for my chemistry class, where I have to mix different chemicals together.
• I heard that rapper's new album is a synthesis of old-school beats and modern lyrics.
• The artist's painting was a beautiful synthesis of colors and shapes, creating a stunning masterpiece.

noun the state of being thick, sticky, and semifluid in consistency, due to internal friction

• The viscosity of the liquid is directly related to its resistance to flow.
• The thicker the liquid, the harder it is to pour - that's viscosity for you.
• Man, this syrup has such high viscosity, it's like pouring molasses!
• The viscosity of bureaucracy can slow down even the simplest of tasks.

noun the ability to withstand something

verb to remain undamaged or unaffected by something; to resist or endure

• The new building was designed to withstand earthquakes and strong winds.
• I don't think this old chair can withstand another person sitting on it.
• I bet you can't withstand the heat of this spicy curry!
• Her resolve to succeed was so strong that it could withstand any challenge thrown her way.

noun the geometric property of a rigid object of being non-superposable on its mirror image; handedness

• The study of chirality in molecules is crucial in understanding their biological activity.
• I learned in chemistry class that chirality refers to the asymmetry in molecules.
• Dude, did you know that chirality is like the left and right hands being mirror images of each other?
• His decision to take a different path in life showed a chirality in his mindset compared to his peers.

adjective describing something as having three legs or supports

• The scientist used a tripodal stand to stabilize the delicate equipment.
• I saw a cool tripodal lamp at the store the other day.
• Check out my new tripodal phone stand, it's so convenient!
• His argument was tripodal, supported by three strong points.

noun a type of hydrocarbon compound that contains a carbon-carbon double bond

• The alkene functional group consists of a carbon-carbon double bond.
• I learned about alkenes in my organic chemistry class.
• Alkenes are like the cool kids of the hydrocarbon world.
• The alkene bond is like a strong friendship holding two carbons together.

noun a series of interconnected things or events

• The process of linking together molecular units through a series of covalent bonds is known as catenation.
• Catenation is when molecules are connected like a chain.
• Catenation is like molecular Lego building.
• In life, relationships often involve a complex catenation of emotions and experiences.

noun a substance or material that has the property of refracting light or other electromagnetic radiation

• The refractant properties of the lens caused the light to bend as it passed through.
• The glasses have some sort of refractant thing going on that makes everything look clearer.
• I heard those sunglasses are made with some cool refractant technology.
• Her words acted as a refractant, changing the way I saw the situation.

adjective relating to a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image, thus having a non-superimposable mirror image relationship

• The chiral molecules exhibited optical activity when exposed to polarized light.
• I learned in chemistry class that chiral compounds have non-superimposable mirror images.
• Dude, those chiral structures look so cool under the microscope!
• The political landscape can be seen as chiral, with opposing viewpoints that cannot be reconciled.

noun a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion experienced after prolonged exposure to 3D technology

• Research shows that prolonged exposure to 3D technology can lead to 3D fatigue among viewers.
• I can't watch another 3D movie, I think I have 3D fatigue.
• I'm so over 3D movies, they give me major 3D fatigue.
• After hours of gaming in 3D, I felt like I was experiencing 3D fatigue in real life.

noun a series of hydrocarbons that contain a triple bond between two carbon atoms, such as ethyne (acetylene)

• The acetylene series of organic compounds is characterized by a triple bond between two carbon atoms.
• I learned about the acetylene series in my organic chemistry class.
• The acetylene series is like the rockstar of organic compounds with its triple bond.
• Exploring the acetylene series is like diving deep into the world of carbon chemistry.

noun a type of pressure exerted on a surface by sound waves

adjective describing the type of pressure as related to sound waves

• Acoustic radiation pressure is the force exerted by sound waves on a surface.
• Did you know that acoustic radiation pressure can actually move objects?
• The acoustic radiation pressure from that loud concert was intense!
• The weight of their words felt like acoustic radiation pressure on my soul.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'organ' is a noun as it refers to a part of an organism that performs a specific function.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun. In this case, 'adhesive' is an adjective that describes the type of organ being referred to, indicating that it has the quality of being able to stick to surfaces.

• The gecko uses its adhesive organ on its feet to climb up smooth surfaces.
• Check out how the gecko's sticky feet work like an adhesive organ!
• That gecko's got some serious stickiness going on with its adhesive organ.
• Her charm acted like an adhesive organ, attracting people to her effortlessly.

verb to undergo the process of adsorption, where molecules adhere to a surface

adjective describing something that has undergone adsorption

• The molecules were adsorbed onto the surface of the catalyst.
• The filter adsorbed all the impurities from the water.
• I can't believe how well this sponge adsorbed all the spills.
• Her words seemed to be adsorbed by his attentive listening.

verb to adhere or grow together; to unite or be united closely

• The advene nature of the new law has sparked debate among legal scholars.
• I find the advene rules at this school to be quite strict.
• I don't understand why they have such advene policies here.
• The advene weather conditions made it difficult to enjoy our outdoor picnic.